Automated labeling method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automated labeling method and apparatus includes a label web-severing mechanism and a label-applying assembly, the web-severing mechanism configured to synchronously sever a plurality of labels from a self-wound label web, and the label-applying assembly configured to synchronously apply the plurality of severed labels to a corresponding plurality of articles to be labeled.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit and priority of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/562,448, filed Dec. 5, 2014, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to automated methods and apparatus forapplying adhesive backed labels to articles, particularly singulatedarticles, and more particularly, singulated articles of produce.

BACKGROUND

Articles of produce are increasingly being individually labeled tofacilitate inventory control and check-out at the grocery store. Acommercially desirable method for labeling produce is to run the producein volume through an automatic labeling apparatus, such as thatdescribed in U.S. Publication No. 2013/0011629, which applies adhesivebacked labels to the articles.

The articles are carried past (typically underneath) the labelingapparatus on a conveyor in a “singulated” form, meaning that they aremaintained on the conveyor in an ordered array. FIG. 1 shows an example,where articles 10 are held in respective wells 12 of a tray 14, thatorganizes the articles into discrete “rows” 16, and discrete “lanes” 18on a conveyor 19. Other means for “singulating” the articles can beemployed.

The lanes are defined in the direction of conveyance “R,” and the rowsare perpendicular to this direction.

Automatic labeling apparatus includes one or more label-applying headsfor applying labels to the articles. Typically, where the articles aresingulated and therefore restricted to travel in discrete lanes, thereis one label-applying head per lane, for applying labels to all thearticles within that lane. In such case, the conveyor travels at asteady speed and the articles are moving as they are being labeled. Thismethodology provides for highest throughput.

One known alternative that can be used where high throughput is notneeded employs a single label-applying head that travels across thelanes, like the raster scan in a cathode ray tube, to apply labels toall the articles within each row. In this case the conveyor advances arow of articles to the label-applying head and stops. While the conveyoris stopped, the label-applying head travels across the lanes,momentarily stopping at each article within the row to apply a label tothat article. When the label-applying head has finished labeling all thearticles in the row, the conveyor restarts and the process is iterated.

Each label-applying head obtains the labels it applies in sequence froma “label supply” of label webbing (or “web”) provided on acircumferentially wound “reel,” like a magnetic tape or movie film reel.The web may have a “liner,” which prevents the labels in one winding ofthe reel from adhering to the labels in adjacent windings. In such case,the labels must be removed at or near the label-applying head from theliner and the liner taken up and stored for ultimate discard.Alternatively, the web may be “liner-less” to avoid the need forhandling and disposing of liner waste, in which case the non-adhesiveside of the label is treated with an “adhesive resist” composition toperform the same function as the liner.

Each label-applying head has its own dedicated label supply. So whenthere are multiple label-applying heads, there are multiple labelsupplies that each need to be changed at periodic intervals.

SUMMARY

An automated labeling method and apparatus is disclosed herein.

A first aspect of the method provides for labeling articles by use of anautomated labeling apparatus having a plurality of label-applying heads.In the first aspect of the method, the method includes steps oftranslating the plurality of label-applying heads to the labels,respectively collecting the labels with the label-applying heads,translating the label-applying heads with the collected labels to thearticles, and applying the collected labels to the articles.

Where the articles are presented to the automated labeling apparatusarrayed in rows, the step of applying the collected labels to thearticles may result in synchronously or substantially synchronously, orsimultaneously or substantially simultaneously, applying labels to thearticles in one row and/or may result in synchronously or substantiallysynchronously, or simultaneously or substantially simultaneously,applying labels to all the articles in the one row.

A second aspect of the method provides or severing labels from a labelweb in an automated apparatus. In the second aspect of the method, themethod includes steps of starting an advancement of the label web,stopping the advancement, and while the advancement is stopped,synchronously severing at least two labels from the label web.

After the step of severing, the second aspect of the method may includere-starting the advancement.

The second aspect of the method may provide for labeling articles withthe severed labels. For this purpose, where the automated labelingapparatus has a plurality of label-applying heads, the second aspect ofthe method may include translating the plurality of label-applying headsto the severed labels, respectively collecting the severed labels withthe label-applying heads, translating the label-applying heads with thecollected severed labels to the articles, and applying the collectedsevered labels to the articles.

Where the articles are presented to the automated labeling apparatusarrayed in rows, the step of applying the collected severed labels tothe articles may result in applying labels to the articles in one row insynchrony and/or applying labels to all the articles in one row.

A third aspect of the method provides for an automated method forlabeling of an article, including steps of severing a label from a labelweb, extending the end of a label-applying head to pick up the severedlabel, retracting the end of the label-applying head with the picked-uplabel, rotating the end of the label-applying head with the picked-uplabel, and extending the end of the label-applying head so as to applythe picked-up label to the article.

The third aspect of the method may include utilizing a web-severingmechanism for the step of severing, wherein the step of rotatingincludes rotating the end of the label-applying head about an axis thatis parallel to a feed axis feeding the web through the web-severingmechanism.

A fourth aspect of the method provides for advancing a label web in anautomated labeling apparatus in cycles, the method for advancing the webin one cycle including steps of gripping the label web with a grippingdevice at a first location in the automated labeling apparatus, firsttranslating the gripping device with the label web gripped thereby fromthe first location to a second location spaced apart from the firstlocation, releasing the label web from the grip of the gripping deviceat the second location, and second translating the gripping device backto the first location.

The fourth aspect of the method may include, after the step of releasingbut before the step of second translating, a step of third translatingthe gripping device to a third location spaced apart from both the firstand second locations, and may further include a step of pausing at thethird location after the step of third translating but before the stepof second translating.

Where the automated labeling apparatus is used for labeling articlesconveyed by a conveyor, the step of first translating may translate thelabel web laterally relative to the conveying direction, or moreparticularly, perpendicular to the conveying direction.

Two consecutive cycles of the fourth aspect of the method may beperformed, in which case the method may further include a step ofselecting the second location in the second of the two consecutivecycles to be different from the second location in the first of the twoconsecutive cycles.

A fifth aspect of the method provides for labeling articles, andincludes steps of synchronously or substantially synchronously, orsimultaneously or substantially simultaneously, collecting a pluralityof labels from a self-wound label web, and synchronously orsubstantially synchronously, or simultaneously or substantiallysimultaneously, applying the plurality of collected labels to acorresponding plurality of articles to be labeled, where the step ofsynchronously or substantially synchronously, or simultaneously orsubstantially simultaneously collecting may include synchronously orsubstantially synchronously, or simultaneously or substantiallysimultaneously, severing the plurality of labels.

A label-applying assembly for use in an automated labeling apparatus isprovided for labeling articles arrayed on a conveyor in discrete spacedapart lanes oriented in a lane direction parallel to the conveyingdirection, and discrete spaced apart rows oriented in a laterallyextending row direction at a non-zero angle relative to the lanedirection.

The label-applying assembly includes an active label-applying assemblyportion supporting a plurality of laterally spaced apart label-applyingheads, each label-applying head of the active label-applying assemblyportion configured to pick up a label at a respective label-receivinglocation and apply the label to a respective one of the articles in arow with the location of the article in the row generally beinglaterally spaced away from the respective label-receiving location,wherein the active label-applying assembly portion is configured tolaterally translate the label-applying heads.

The active label-applying assembly portion may be configured tolaterally translate at least one of the label-applying heads of theactive label-applying assembly portion across at least two lanes.

Where the plurality of label-applying heads of the active label-applyingassembly portion includes a laterally outermost label-applying head anda laterally innermost label-applying head, the active label-applyingassembly portion may be configured to laterally translate thelabel-applying heads of the active label-applying assembly portiontogether by driving the laterally outermost label-applying head and thelaterally innermost label-applying heads in the same direction.

The label-applying assembly may include a docking label-applyingassembly portion configured for automatically selectable connection toand disconnection from the active label-applying assembly portion, thedocking label-applying assembly portion having at least onelabel-applying head configured, when the docking label-applying assemblyportion is connected to the active label-applying assembly portion, topick up a label at a respective label-receiving location and apply thelabel to a respective one of the articles in a row with the location ofthe article in the row generally being laterally spaced apart from therespective label-receiving location, and wherein the dockinglabel-applying assembly portion is configured, when the dockinglabel-applying assembly portion is connected to the activelabel-applying assembly portion, to laterally translate the at least onelabel-applying head of the docking label-applying assembly portion as aresult of translation of the label-applying heads of the activelabel-applying assembly portion by the active label-applying assemblyportion.

The label-applying assembly may further include an automaticallyengagable locking mechanism configured to lock the dockinglabel-applying assembly portion in a docked configuration, laterallyspaced apart from the active label-applying assembly portion, when thedocking label-applying assembly portion is disconnected from the activelabel-applying assembly portion.

The docking label-applying assembly portion may have a plurality oflabel-applying heads, wherein, in the docked configuration of thedocking label-applying assembly portion, the label-applying headsthereof have minimum spacings therebetween, as compared to the spacingsbetween the label-applying heads of the docking label-applying assemblyportion when the docking label-applying assembly portion is connected tothe active label-applying assembly portion.

In any embodiment of the label-applying assembly, the activelabel-applying assembly portion may be configured to adjustably increaseand decrease the lateral spacings between adjacent label-applying headsof the active label-applying assembly portion, and may more particularlybe configured to do so by driving the laterally outermost label-applyinghead and the laterally innermost label-applying heads in oppositedirections. In either case, the active label-applying assembly portionmay be configured to maintain laterally equidistant spacings betweenadjacent label-applying heads of the active label-applying assemblyportion.

A label web-severing mechanism is provided for severing a two-sidedlabel web in an automated labeling apparatus for labeling articles. Theweb-severing mechanism may, although it need not necessarily, beutilized in cases where the articles are arrayed on a conveyor forconveying the articles, wherein the feed axis is disposed laterallyrelative to the conveying direction.

The web-severing mechanism includes a body portion, at least threesevering elements supported by the body portion that are spaced apartfrom each other along a feed axis for feeding the web through theweb-severing mechanism with the at least three severing elements beingdisposed toward one of the sides of the label web, and at least onepressure-applying element member supported by the body portion disposedtoward the other of the sides of the label web and configured forcyclically squeezing the web between the at least one pressure-applyingelement and the at least three severing elements sufficiently to severat least two labels from the web.

The body portion may include at least two apertures connected to asource of vacuum for maintaining the at least two severed labels at thebody portion.

The web-severing mechanism may be configured to cause the at least onepressure-applying member to produce a moving pressure front on the labelweb across the severing elements.

The web severing apparatus as described above may be provided incombination with the label-applying assembly as described above.

In another aspect of the labeling apparatus, a web-severing mechanismand a label-applying assembly are provided, where the web-severingmechanism is configured to synchronously or substantially synchronously,or simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, sever a plurality oflabels from a self-wound label web, and the label-applying assembly isconfigured to synchronously or substantially synchronously, orsimultaneously or substantially simultaneously, apply the plurality ofsevered labels to a corresponding plurality of articles to be labeled.

It is to be understood that this summary is provided as a means ofgenerally determining what follows in the drawings and detaileddescription and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.Objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood upon consideration of the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a tray of articles of produce on aconveyor.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a labeling apparatus according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of the labeling apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a label-applying assembly accordingto the present invention in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the label-applying assembly of FIG.4 in a contracted configuration.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the label-applying assembly of FIGS.4 and 5 along with a docking label-applying assembly according to thepresent invention in a docked configuration.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the label-applying assembly anddocking label-applying assembly of FIG. 6 in a joined configuration.

FIG. 8 portion A is a front isometric view of a label-cutting blockaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 8 portions B-D are side elevations of the label-cutting block ofFIG. 8 portion A, showing a temporal sequence of movement of selectedelements of the label-cutting block.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a label-applying head according to thepresent invention, for use in the label-applying assembly of FIGS. 4-7,and which may also be used as a label-gripping head according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 portions A-F are side elevations of the label-applying head ofFIG. 9 and the label-cutting block of FIG. 8 portion A showing atemporal sequence of movement of the label-applying head relative to thelabel-cutting block.

FIG. 11 portion A is a front elevation of a label-applying assemblyaccording to the present invention applying labels to articles ofproduce according to a first mode of operation of the invention suitablefor use when the articles are arrayed in un-staggered rows.

FIG. 11 portion B is a plan view of the articles as they are presentedto the label-applying assembly of FIG. 11 portion A.

FIG. 12 portions A and B are front elevations of a label-applyingassembly according to the present invention applying labels to articlesof produce according to a first method of performing a second mode ofoperation of the invention suitable for use when the articles arearrayed in staggered rows, where the rows are staggered by ½.

FIG. 12 portion C is a plan view of the articles as they are presentedto the label-applying assembly of FIG. 12 portions A and B.

FIG. 13 portion A is a front elevation of a label-applying assemblyaccording to the present invention applying labels to articles ofproduce according to the first method of performing the second mode ofoperation of the invention referred to in connection with FIG. 12, wherethe rows are staggered by ⅓, showing the labeling of a first row of thearticles.

FIG. 13 portion B is a front elevation of the label-applying assemblyshown in portion A of FIG. 13, showing the labeling of a second row ofthe articles.

FIG. 13 portion C is a front elevation of the label-applying assemblyshown in portion A of FIG. 13, showing the labeling of a third row ofthe articles.

FIG. 13 portion D is a plan view of the articles as they are presentedto the label applying assembly of FIG. 13 portions A-C.

FIG. 14 portion A is a front elevation of a label-applying assemblyaccording to the present invention applying labels to articles ofproduce according to a second method of performing the second mode ofoperation of the invention referred to in connection with FIG. 12,showing the labeling of a first row of the articles.

FIG. 14 portion B is a front elevation of the label-applying assemblyshown in portion A of FIG. 14, showing the label-assembly shiftedrelative to its position in portion A of FIG. 14 for labeling a secondrow of the articles.

FIG. 14 portion C is a plan view of the articles as they are presentedto the label-applying assembly of FIG. 14 portions A and B.

FIG. 15 portions A-D are rear elevations of the label-gripping head ofFIG. 9 in relation to the label-cutting block of FIG. 8, portions A-D,showing a temporal sequence of movement of the label-gripping headrelative to the label-cutting block.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a preferred label-gripping headaccording to the present invention and portions of the label-cuttingblock of FIG. 10, showing the label-gripping head gripping a web inanticipation of pulling the web through the label-cutting block.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the label-gripping head andlabel-cutting block of FIG. 16, showing the label-gripping head afterhaving pulled the web through the label-cutting block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary context for use of the present invention,where there are a number of articles of produce 10 to be labeled, thearticles being organized into an ordered array such as by the use of atray 14 have regularly spaced wells 12, defining discrete lanes and rowsas noted above having regular spacings. The articles travel on aconveyor 19 in a direction “R,” with lanes 18 aligned in the samedirection.

Typically the rows are perpendicular to the direction R as for the rows18, but it may be noted that the lines indicated as 21 could also berows according to the present invention, with a row being defined as anystraight line crossing the conveyor that would intersect a space adaptedfor singulating an article (such as one of the wells 12) in each of thelanes, i.e., without skipping a lane. In general, a row can be at anynon-zero angle relative to the direction of conveyance of the articlesby the conveyor, but preferably the angle is no more than the 45 degreesindicated for the lines 21 in FIG. 1.

Herein the terms “lateral” and “laterally” are defined to refer todirections parallel to the rows, which may in general be at any non-zeroangle relative to the direction of the lanes, such as the approximately45 degrees shown for the lines indicated as 21, but which are typicallyat an angle of 90 degrees.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an automated labeling apparatus 20according to the present invention for applying labels to the articlesas shown and presented for labeling in FIG. 1. Thus the term “label” asused herein refers to the finished label product that is applied to thearticle being labeled.

The apparatus 20 includes a label supply 22 from which the apparatusdraws, which may be by any known means, a web 24 of labels, a printer 25for printing “variable” or article-specific information on the web so asto define individual labels, an accumulator 26 that acts as a bufferbetween the rate the labels are drawn from the label supply and the ratethey are being applied to the articles, a label-cutting block 28 forcutting individual labels 13 from the web 24, and a label-applyingassembly 32 for applying the labels to the articles.

Although FIG. 2 is a schematic view, some physical relationships areindicated; particularly, those shown in FIG. 1 and those between thelabel-cutting block 28, the label-applying assembly 32, and the conveyor19. FIG. 3 provides a physical view of the labeling apparatus 20. As anoverview, the label-applying assembly 32 allows for multiplelabel-applying heads to draw from a single label supply 22, and thelabel-cutting block 28 provides for detaching multiple labels from theweb 24 simultaneously.

FIG. 4 shows, apart from any other features of the apparatus 20 forclarity, an “always active” portion of the label-applying assembly 32,or “active label-applying assembly” 32 a, having a plurality oflabel-applying heads 34. More particularly, the active label-applyingassembly 32 a is shown in a laterally “expanded” configuration, wherethe label-applying heads are spaced apart from one another along an axis“A” that is parallel to the rows 16, which is generally used forapplying labels to the articles; and FIG. 5 shows the activelabel-applying assembly 32 a in a laterally “contracted” configuration,in which the label-applying heads 34 are spaced closer together, whichis generally used for picking up or collecting cut labels from thelabel-cutting block 28.

Six label-applying heads 34 are shown, namely 34 a-34 f. Eachlabel-applying head is connected to an adjacent label-applying head viaa first scissors-type linkage assembly 36 a, which allows thelabel-applying heads 34 a-34 f to move apart from one another, or towardone another, all the while maintaining equilateral spacings betweenthem.

The linkage assembly 36 a provides for maintaining equidistant spacingsbetween the label-applying heads because there are, typically,equidistant spacings between the articles. If the spacings between thearticles are not equidistant, but they are regular, then either or bothof the scissors-type linkage assemblies can be modified to accommodatethe varying spacings by appropriate shortening or lengthening of thelinking members.

The label-applying heads at the ends of the active label-applyingassembly 32 a, namely, the label-applying heads 34 a and 34 f in thisexample, are connected to respective driving mechanisms allowing forindependently driving the heads 34 a and 34 f laterally, along the axisA parallel to the rows 16, to allow for both laterally expanding orcontracting the assembly, and/or laterally translating the entireassembly in either direction. Such driving mechanisms can be provided ina number of different ways as will be readily appreciated by persons ofordinary skill; one way is to attach the label-applying heads 34 a and34 f to respective belts aligned along the axis A, parallel to the rows16, each belt being independently driven by a respective feedbackcontrolled electric motor.

With reference to FIG. 6, showing the active label-applying assembly 32a in a less laterally expanded configuration than that shown in FIG. 4but not as contracted as shown in FIG. 5, the active label-applyingassembly 32 a has the capability to automatically selectably connect toand disconnect from a “docking” label-applying assembly 32 b of thelabel-applying assembly 32, disposed in laterally side-by-side relation.This allows for increasing the number of active label-applying heads,and thus the number of lanes that the label-applying assembly 32 is ableto service.

FIG. 6 shows the active label-applying assembly 32 with the sixlabel-applying heads 34 a-34 f detached from a docking label-applyingassembly 32 b having three label-applying heads 34 g-34 i, the dockinglabel-applying assembly 32 b being shown in a “docked” configurationpositioned off to the side of the active label-applying assembly 32 a.The label-applying heads 34 g-34 i of the docking label-applyingassembly 32 b are connected to each other via a second scissors-typelinkage assembly 36 b which is just like the first scissors-type linkageassembly 36 a except that adjacent ends of the two scissors-type linkageassemblies are adapted with complementary features for engaging anddisengaging the two linkage assemblies.

The second scissors-type linkage assembly 36 b, like the firstscissors-type linkage assembly 36 a, is capable of lateral expansion andcontraction; however, contraction is resisted by a spring bias appliedby one or more springs 38 tending to expand the linkage assembly 36 b.This allows for maintaining a joinder of the two linkage assemblies 36 aand 36 b, where hooked ends 42 a and 42 b of the second linkage assemblyare forced to clamp down on corresponding pins 41 a and 41 b of thefirst linkage assembly as shown in FIG. 7. In this joined configurationof the always active and docking portions of the label-applying assembly32, the two scissors-type linkage assemblies function as one, increasingthe total number of active label-applying heads in the label-applyingassembly 32 from six to nine in this example.

From the joined configuration of the always active and docking portionsof the label-applying assembly 32 shown in FIG. 7, the dockinglabel-applying assembly 32 b can be returned to the docked positionshown in FIG. 6. That is, the label-applying heads 32 a and 32 f aredriven towards one another against the spring bias of the one or moresprings 38, to produce a laterally “contracted” configuration of thelabel-applying assembly 32 in which the label-applying heads are forced,against the spring bias of the one or more tension springs 38 of thedocking label-applying assembly, to come into close proximity to eachother, preferably making side-by-side contact with minimum spacing andmaximum contraction, such as shown in FIG. 6.

In addition, the heads 34 a and 34 f are driven in unison to laterallytranslate the label-applying assembly 32 toward one side of the conveyorwhere the docking label-applying assembly 32 b will be docked. Once thedocking label-applying assembly 32 b reaches the docking location, itcan be held there against the spring bias of the one or more springs 38by a number of automatically engageable locking means, such as byoperation of one or more solenoids to drive one or more pins intorespective holes in one or more of the label-applying heads 34 g-34 i.

Referring back to FIG. 6, in the docked position of the dockinglabel-applying assembly 32 b the “jaw” defined between the hooked ends42 a and 42 a thereof is wide open. This allows for the always activelabel-assembly 32 a to depart from the docked docking assembly 32 b byexpanding, thereby moving the pins 41 a and 41 b closer together andreleasing them from the grip of the hooked ends 42 a and 42 b, andthereby allowing the always active label-applying assembly 32 a todepart from the docking label-applying assembly 32 b, whereuponcontracting the label-applying assembly 32 is no longer met with theresistance of the one or more springs 38.

The process just described can be reversed for joining the always activelabel-applying assembly 32 a with the docking label-applying assembly 32b for re-use of the docking label-applying assembly.

FIG. 8 shows the label-cutting block 28 and a portion of the label web24, along with a portion of one of the label-applying heads 34 forreference. The label-cutting block 28 is provided for cutting the labelsto be applied by the label-applying assembly 32 from the web 24. Moregenerally, its purpose is to “sever” the labels, cutting being just thepreferred form of severing.

The label-cutting block 28 has a top surface 28 a that is shown as beinghorizontal in FIG. 8 but which is preferably tilted from the horizontalin the apparatus 20 as will be explained further below. The web 24 isdrawn across and slightly above the top surface 28 a with the adhesiveside down, along the axis A parallel to the rows 16, i.e., laterallyacross the conveyor in the typical embodiment being described here. Theweb travel is momentarily paused for simultaneously cutting a pluralityof label portions from the web. The label-cutting block 28 includes twomain systems for cutting the label portions, a cutting-blade system 50and a cutting-pressure-applying system 60.

The cutting-blade system 50 includes a plurality of cutting blades 52having cutting edges 52 a. The cutting blades are adapted to be raisedand lowered in a repetitive cycle having a period defined by the timethe conveyor takes to travel the distance between two rows. Moreparticularly, the cutting edges are raised in the direction indicated bythe arrow in the portion C of FIG. 8 to an elevation above the topsurface 28 a so that they are available for making contact with theunderside of the web when web travel is paused for cutting, and arethereafter lowered to an elevation at or below the top surface (such asindicated by comparison of the portion C with the portion B of FIG. 8)where they will no longer make contact with the underside of the webafter cutting is complete and web travel is resumed. Such cyclic raisingand lowering of the cutting blades can be provided in a number ofdifferent ways as will be readily appreciated by persons of ordinaryskill; one way is to drive the cutting blades with a camshaft. Timingfor the camshaft can be provided by use of a rotary encoder mounted tothe conveyor.

The cutting-pressure-applying system 60 includes one or more freelyturning rollers 62 and a linkage mechanism 64 for moving the rollersboth vertically and horizontally. The linkage mechanism 64 moves therollers in repetitive cycles, with a cycle having the same timing asthat for raising and lowering the cutting blades 52. First, the rollers62 are maintained by pins 53 in a holding disposition above the surface28 a as shown in the portion B of FIG. 8. Then, the cutting edges 52 aof the cutting blades 52 are raised sufficiently above the surface 28 ato force the web against the rollers 62, squeezing the web between thecutting edges and the rollers. The portion C of FIG. 8 shows therelative positions of the cutting edges and the rollers with the webomitted for clarity. Note that contact between the cutting edges and therollers would occur but for the presence of the web between them.Thence, the rollers 62 are caused to roll across the web parallel to thecutting edges 52 a as indicated by the arrow in the portion D of FIG. 8,applying a moving wave-like front of pressure over the lengths of thecutting edges, sufficient to sever the label portions from the web.Finally, the rollers are retracted back to the holding disposition.

Such cyclic movement of the rollers 62 can be provided in a number ofdifferent ways as will be readily appreciated by persons of ordinaryskill; one way is to drive the linkage mechanism 64 with the samecamshaft used for driving the cutting blades 52.

As an alternative to raising and lowering the cutting blades 52, theblades can be fixed in place with the cutting edges above the topsurface 28 a, yet spaced from the underside of the web until the linkagemechanism 64 forces the web down to meet the cutting edges byapplication of the rollers 62.

The web 24 travels over the top surface 28 a of the label-cutting block28 adhesive side down, and so it travels slightly above the top surfaceto avoid sticking. However, the label-cutting block 28 includesapertures 28 b through the top surface 28 a through which a vacuum canbe applied to the web, for holding the cut labels to the surface 28 auntil they can be picked up or collected by the label-applying heads asdiscussed further below. To minimize sticking between the cut labels andthe top surface 28 a as a result of the application of the vacuum, thetop surface 28 a may be formed of, or may include, a surface layer of alow surface energy material such as polypropylene, or adhesive resist,and/or may define peaks and valleys to minimize the contact area. Somedegree of sticking is tolerable; however, and could even be used toadvantage. For example, instead of using a vacuum to hold the labels inplace for pick up or collection by the label-applying heads, thecutting-pressure-applying system 60 could be adapted, or an additionalsystem could be provided, for pressing the labels onto the top surface28 a after the labels have been cut.

The label-cutting block 28 cuts enough labels to supply the activelabel-applying heads of the label-applying assembly 32. Thelabel-applying assembly 32 is laterally translated, and/or contracted,as needed to move the active label-applying heads into position over therespective cut labels. To transfer the cut labels from the label-cuttingblock 28 to the active label-applying heads, each label-applying head 34has an air cylinder 70 carrying an elastically collapsible member suchas a bellows 72 as shown in FIG. 9.

The bellows 72 is a standard part affixed with a novel airflowrestriction plate 74 secured to an end 72 a of the bellows. Therestriction plate 74 has a number of airflow restricting apertures 74 atherethrough, and the bellows has a vacuum inlet aperture 72 b inswitchable connection (switch not shown) to a source of vacuum “SOV.”

The air cylinder 70 has a piston 71, an exposed end 71 a of which can beeither extended or retracted by operation of a switchable connection(switch not shown) to a pressurized air supply “PAS.” The bellows 72 isconnected to the exposed end 71 a of the piston. The air cylinder drivesthe bellows down so that the end 72 a of the bellows makes contact withthe cut label, whereupon or wherebefore the vacuum is shut off from thelabel-cutting block 28, and whereupon or whereafter vacuum is applied tothe vacuum inlet aperture 72 b of the bellows sufficient to overcome anyadhesion between the adhesive side of the label and the top surface 28 aof the label-cutting block, thus capturing a cut label.

The air cylinder 70 is then controlled by switching the source ofpressurized air to cause the piston to retract sufficiently to absorbthe compliance of the bellows and ensure that the end 72 a hassufficient clearance for the label-applying head to swing away from thelabel-cutting block without interference. To understand this motionrequires some additional explanation.

FIG. 10 shows the label-cutting block 28 in relation to thelabel-applying assembly 32 and the conveyor 19, in a temporal sequenceof movement of the label-applying assembly 32 shown by dividing FIG. 10into portions A-F.

In the portion A of FIG. 10, the label-applying head 34 is completing anact of applying a label to a first article of produce 10 a. The bellowshas been placed in a first extended disposition, whereby the end 72 a ofthe bellows is able to contact the article, by extending the end 71 a ofthe piston 71 by suitable switching of the pressurized air supply. Alabel 13 is disposed between the end 72 a of the bellows 72 and thearticle.

In the portion B of FIG. 9, the bellows is being placed in a retracteddisposition by retracting the exposed end 71 a of the piston 71 of theair cylinder 70 in the direction indicated by the arrow by suitableswitching of the pressurized air supply.

Turning next to the portion C of FIG. 10, either before, during or afterthe bellows is retracted as indicated in the portion B, thelabel-applying assembly 32 is caused to rotate in the plane of theFigure, perpendicular to the axis A shown in FIG. 4, which isperpendicular to the rows 16, and which is typically but not necessarilyparallel to the conveyor direction R. The amount of rotation isindicated by an angle θ, which is the angle the top surface 28 a of thelabel-cutting block 28 makes with the horizontal as shown in the portionA of FIG. 10. This rotation orients the direction of travel of thebellows perpendicular to the top surface 28 a of the label-cutting block28, which is optimum for picking up or collecting a cut label. Theamount of retraction of the bellows that was needed to allow for thisrotation can be small, e.g., it may be just enough to allow the bellowsto clear the top surface 28 a of the label-cutting block 28 on which thecut labels (not shown) lie.

Now, with the bellows above the label web, the bellows is placed into asecond extended disposition, whereby the end 72 a of the bellows is ableto contact the cut label, again by extending the end 71 a of the piston71 by suitable switching of the pressurized air supply. Again, the labelcannot be seen, it being understood that it is disposed between the end72 a of the bellows 72 and the surface 28 a of the label-cutting block28.

Before or after contact is made between the end 72 a of the bellows andthe cut label, vacuum is applied to the bellows by suitable switching ofthe source of vacuum, exposing the cut label to a vacuum at therestriction plate 74 shown in FIG. 9, and overcoming the vacuum appliedthrough the apertures 28 b of the label-cutting block 28, if any, sothat the label-applying head 34 captures the label.

After capturing the label, the bellows is placed once again in theretracted disposition to allow for clearing the label-cutting block 28,and is thereafter rotated back through the angle θ shown in the portionC of FIG. 10 to reach the orientation shown in the portion F, which isthe same as shown in the portion B, in which the direction of travel ofthe bellows is vertical, which is normally optimum for applying thelabel to the article.

Before, during or after this rotation, the bellows is also placed onceagain in the first extended disposition for applying the label to a nextarticle of produce 10 b that followed the first article of produce 10 a.This action is shown only partially completed in the portion F of FIG.10, with completion of this action being shown in the portion A, wherethe extension of the bellows 72 is impacting the article, and the vacuumhas been, is being, or will be removed from the bellows in preparationfor the label-applying head proceeding to pick up or collect anotherlabel by repeating the steps shown in the portions B-F.

The portions A-F of FIG. 10 show a label collecting and applying cyclefor a single label-applying head for simplicity. It should be noted thatthere are a plurality of label-applying heads in the label-applyingassembly 32, and that the label-applying assembly 32 is laterallyexpanding and contracting in and out of the plane of the Figure, alongthe axis A and parallel to the rows 16 as described above, during thiscycle. In particular, the label-applying assembly 32 is laterallyexpanding while it is being re-oriented from the orientation shown inthe portion E of FIG. 10 as it moves through the orientation shown inthe portion F to reach the orientation shown in the portion. A, and itis laterally contracting while it is being re-oriented from theorientation shown in the portion A as it moves through the orientationshown in portion B to reach the orientation shown in the portion C.

Returning briefly to FIG. 8, portion A, the web travels along a feedaxis “FA” for feeding the web through the label-cutting block 28. Thisfeed axis is perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 10, and is thereforeparallel to the axis A (See FIG. 4) of lateral expansion and contractionof the label-applying assembly 32, which is parallel to the rows 16. Tothe extent the feed axis is not parallel to rows 16, the label-applyingassembly 32 would need to rotate in a plane parallel to the surface ofthe conveyor 19 in addition to laterally expanding and contracting,which would require additional time for no purpose and which wouldtherefore be undesirable. Accordingly, it is preferred to have the feedaxis be at least “substantially parallel” to the rows, which forpurposes herein is defined as being within 10 degrees, more preferablywithin 5 degrees, and most preferably within 1 degree.

The tilting of the label-cutting block 28 by the angle θ provides for anadvantage of allowing the label-applying heads 34 to move between thelocations at which they apply the labels to the locations at which theypick up or collect the labels most efficiently. This angle is preferablyin the range 45 degrees+/−15 degrees, more preferably 45 degrees+/−10degrees, and most preferably 45 degrees+/−5 degrees.

The label-cutting block 28 is preferably located within the footprint ofthe conveyor 19, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to facilitate access tothe conveyor by workers loading the conveyor with articles to belabeled, to minimize floor space, and to minimize the lateral travelrequired of the label-applying heads. To further minimize the lateraltravel required of the label-applying heads, the label-cutting block 28is preferably centered over the conveyor.

Though the provision of a docking portion of the label-applying assembly32 can eliminate the need for this, there may be more label-applyingheads in the active portion 32 a of the label-applying assembly 32 thanare actually needed. In such case, the additional label-applying headswill be at that end of the active label-applying assembly that isopposite the end adapted to join with the parkable label-applyingassembly 32 b, and any such additional heads will be ignored forpurposes of defining two distinct modes of operation of thelabel-applying assembly 32.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show physical circumstances that call for the twodifferent modes of operation. FIG. 11 portion B shows a circumstancewhere the rows are aligned. Here, if there are X articles in a row,there X lanes. Shown is X=4, with four articles “a,” “b,” “c,” and “d”in a first row 16 a ₁, which are shown being labeled in portion A ofFIG. 11, and four more articles in a second row 16 b ₁, in four lanes 18a ₁, 18 b ₁, 18 c ₁, and 18 d ₁, waiting to be labeled after thearticles in the first row have been labeled and the conveyor hasadvanced the second row into position under the label-applying assembly32.

In contrast, FIG. 12 portion B shows a circumstance where the rows arestaggered; particularly, the rows are staggered in this example by ½ thespacing between the articles in a row (e.g., ½ the spacing betweenarticles “a” and “b” in the row 16 a). Here, if there are X articles ina row, there are 2X lanes. Again, shown is X=4, with four articles “a,”“b,” “c,” and “d” in a first row 16 a ₂, and four more articles “e,”“f,” “g,” and “h” in a second row 16 b ₂, in eight lanes 18 a ₂, 18 b ₂,18 c ₂, 18 d ₂,18 e, 18 f, 18 g, and 18 h.

Portion A of FIG. 12 shows four label-applying heads 34 a ₁, 34 a ₃, 34a ₅, and 34 a ₇ applying labels to the articles of the first row as thefirst row is positioned under the label-applying assembly 32. Theremaining label-applying heads 34 a ₂, 34 a ₄, 34 a ₆, and 34 a ₈ areretracted, but ready to apply labels to all the articles of the secondrow after the articles of the first row have been labeled and theconveyor has advanced the second row into position under thelabel-applying assembly 32.

An additional row 16 c ₂ is also shown in the portion B of FIG. 12. Therow 16 c ₂ is aligned with the row 16 a ₂, so that the configuration ofthe label-applying assembly 32 shown in the portion A of FIG. 12 forlabeling the articles in the first row 16 a ₂ is the same as that forlabeling the articles in the third row 16 c ₂.

In what may be referred to as “mode 1” of operation of thelabel-applying assembly 32, for use in the circumstance illustrated inFIG. 11, each active label-applying head applies a label in each row,i.e., the aforedescribed collecting and applying cycle is repeated afterone row; whereas in the second mode of operation referred to as “mode2,” for use in the circumstance illustrated in FIG. 12, every other oneof the active label-applying heads applies a label in a first row, andthe remaining half of the active label-applying heads apply labels inthe immediately following row, the cycle being repeated after two rows.

The rows can be staggered by amounts different from half the spacingbetween the articles in a row. For example, FIG. 13 portion D shows rowsthat are staggered by ⅓. Here, if there are X articles in a row, thereare 3X lanes. Again, shown is X=4, with four articles “a,” “b,” “c,” and“d” in a first row 16 a ₃, four articles “e,” “f,” “g,” and “h” in asecond row 16 b ₃, and four articles “i,” “j,” “k,” and “l,” in a thirdrow 16 c ₃, in twelve lanes.

Not shown is a fourth row, which would be aligned with and thereforeappear identical to, the first row; also, because the fourth row isaligned with the first row, the configuration of the label-applyingassembly 32 for labeling the fourth row would appear identical to thatshown in the portion A of FIG. 13 for labeling the first row.

Using the same methodology as described in connection with FIG. 12extended to an additional row, in one collecting and applying cycle thelabel-applying heads 34 a ₁, 34 a ₄, 34 a ₇, and 34 a ₁₀ apply labels tothe articles of the first row as the first row is positioned under thelabel-applying assembly 32; the label-applying heads 34 a ₂, 34 a ₅, 34a ₈, and 34 a ₁₁, apply labels to the articles of the second row afterthe first row is moved into position under the label-applying assembly32; and the label-applying heads 34 a ₃, 34 a ₆, 34 a ₉, and 34 a ₁₂apply labels to the articles of the third row after the third row ismoved into position under the label-applying assembly, the collectingand applying cycle being repeated after three rows of articles have beenlabeled commencing with the fourth row.

From these examples it may be appreciated that modes 1 and 2 can begeneralized as being “modes N,” where the label-applying assembly willreturn to the label-cutting block 28 to pick up or collect more labelsafter N rows of articles have been labeled.

However, in any mode N where N=2 or more, a label collecting andapplying cycle may be less than N. For example, portion C of FIG. 14shows just two of the rows 16 a ₃ and 16 b ₃ that were shown in theportion D of FIG. 13, to show how when N=3 a label collecting andapplying cycle may be repeated after two rows.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the center of gravity of the label-applying assembly32 remains fixed during the time the labels are being applied to thearticles being labeled in a single label collecting and applying cycle.But in FIG. 14, it is shifted laterally during this time; particularly,the label-applying assembly first labels the articles “a,” “b,” “c,” and“d” of the first row 16 a ₃ with the label-applying heads 34 a ₁, 34 a₃, 34 a ₅, and 34 a ₇” as shown in the portion A of FIG. 13, after whichthe label-assembly 32 is shifted laterally in portion B of FIG. 13, forlabeling the articles “e,” “f,” “g,” and “h” in the second row 16 b ₃with the label-applying heads 34 a ₂, 34 a ₄, 34 a ₆ once the conveyorhas advanced the second row into position under the label-applyingassembly 32.

Comparing FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 shows that, whereas in FIG. 12 the rowsare staggered by ½ and the label-applying assembly 32 labels thearticles in two rows before going back to the label-cutting block 28 toget more labels, in FIG. 13 the rows are staggered by ⅓ and thelabel-applying assembly 32 labels the articles in three rows in a singlelabel collecting and applying cycle. More generally, where the rows arestaggered by 1/K, K rows may be labeled in a single label collecting andapplying cycle.

Comparing FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 shows that, when the rows are staggered by⅓, an alternative to labeling all three rows of articles in one labelcollecting and applying cycle without shifting the label-applyingassembly 32 is to limit the cycle to two rows and shift thelabel-applying assembly 32 during the cycle. More generally, when therows are staggered by 1/K, where K is an integer that is greater than orequal to 3, an alternative to either labeling K rows of articles or justone row of articles in a single label collecting and applying cycle,enabled by the capability to laterally shift the label-applying assembly32, is to label M rows in a single label collecting and applying cycle,where M is an integer that is greater than or equal to 2 but less than K(so if K is 3, M can be 2; whereas if K is 4, M can be either 2 or 3).

It is another outstanding advantage of the present invention that onlyone label web is required for use in the labeling apparatus 10, so thatone label supply 22 can serve all the label-applying heads 34. Takingadvantage of this feature, the label supply 22 may be a level woundspool, rather than a circumferentially wound reel as in the prior art,which will typically have more than ten times the storage capacity ofthe prior art reel.

The label web 24 may be drawn from the label supply 22 by any standardmeans, such as by use of one or more drive rollers, preferably atconstant speed. On the other hand, the web is repetitively started andstopped at the label-cutting block 28; hence, the accumulator 26 acts asa buffer between the label supply and the label-cutting block.

To advance the web at the label-cutting block in starts and stops, anadditional label-applying head 34 may be used, which may have the samestructure as shown in FIG. 9, and which may be driven just like thelabel-applying heads 34 a and 34 f. For purposes of the discussion here,the label-applying head 34 will be referred to as a label-gripping head35.

FIG. 15 is divided into four portions A-D showing a temporal sequence ofoperation of the label-gripping head 35. The label-cutting block 28 isshown with nine identical elements each of the cutting-blade system 50and the cutting-pressure-applying system 60, corresponding to the sixlabel-applying heads of the active label-applying assembly 32 a, plusthe three label-applying heads of the docking label-applying assembly 32b that may be employed in addition.

In the portion A of FIG. 15, the label-gripping head 35 is shown inrelation to an end 24 a of the web 24. The end 24 a represents the endof the label web after the label-cutting block 28 has cut some labels,and the label-applying assembly 32 has picked up or collected the labelsand removed them from the surface 28 a. The bellows is extended, in themanner discussed above in connection with FIG. 10 for the label-applyinghead 34, while a vacuum is applied to the bellows so that the end of thebellows makes contact with the end 24 a and the bellows grips the label.

In the portion B of FIG. 15, the label-gripping head 35 is drivenlaterally across the surface 28 a of the label-cutting block, stoppingafter pulling the web past a predetermined number of the elements of thecutting-blade system 50 and the cutting-pressure-applying system 60. Thepredetermined number of cutting-blade and cutting-pressure-applyingelements is that which is needed for cutting the required number oflabels, which may be less than the nine elements that are available inthis example.

In the portion C of FIG. 15, the vacuum has been shut off from thebellows of the label-gripping head 35 so that the label-gripping head isno longer gripping the label web, and the bellows is retracted, in themanner discussed above in connection with FIG. 10 for the label-applyinghead 34, to allow clearance for the cutting-blades 52 of thecutting-blade system 50 to raise the web against the rollers 62 of thecutting-pressure-applying system 60, for cutting the web into theindividual labels.

In the portion D of FIG. 15, the cutting-blades 52 are shown stillraised, but the cut labels have fallen, or are pulled by a vacuumthrough the apertures 28 b, or may otherwise be caused to rest on thesurface 28 a, ready for pick-up or collection. The portion D shows thelabel-gripping head 35 being driven back to the location shown inportion A; however, this transit could also be performed during the stepdepicted in portion C.

An electronic controller (not shown) may be used to control the amountof translation of the web 24 by the label-gripping head 35, again,depending on the number of labels to be cut, along with the timing forapplying and ceasing to apply the vacuum, allowing for varying theseconditions as desired. Alternatively, limit switches may be used tosequence the operation of the web translation in time with the operationof the label-applying assembly 32 and the label-cutting block 28.

While FIG. 15 shows a vacuum driven bellows-type label-gripping device,other gripping means could be used. Also, while the bellows-typelabel-gripping device is particularly adapted to avoid contact with theadhesive on the label web 24 by gripping the web on one side only,namely, on the non-adhesive side, other gripping means that grip bothsides of the web could be used if the web has patterned adhesive.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show such a label-gripping head 45. With particularreference to FIG. 17, the web 24 has adhesive-free regions “AFR,” itbeing understood that the adhesive is, and therefore the adhesive-freeregions are, on the underside of the web in the view shown, in thevicinity of the cutting-blades 52. The adhesive-free regions areprovided to avoid fouling the cutting-blades with adhesive when theindividual labels 13 are cut from the web by the label-cutting block 28.

The label-gripping head 45 has opposable upper and lower jaws 45 a and45 b respectively for gripping both sides of a web, the lower jaw 45 bmaking contact with the web in an adhesive-free region. Moreparticularly, each cutting-blade 52 will preferably sever the webthrough an adhesive-free region, leaving half of the adhesive-freeregion on one side of the cutting-blade and the other half of theadhesive-free region on the other side of the cutting-blade. So thelower jaw 45 b makes contact with half of an adhesive-free region (“½AFR”) remaining at the terminus “T” of the web 24 after all theindividual labels 13 for use in a single label collection and applyingcycle have been severed from the web.

FIG. 16 shows the label-gripping head 45 gripping the web after suchtime, at the right of the Figure, and FIG. 17 shows the label-grippinghead 45 after having pulled the web 24 to the left along the feed axisin the feed direction “F” shown in FIG. 16, to position the web foranother cutting cycle.

The label-gripping head 45 is driven back and forth between thepositions shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 by a drive mechanism 48 including apulley 48 a and a cable 48 b driven by an electric motor (not shown),e.g., a stepper motor. The drive mechanism 48 may be the same as thatused for driving the bellows-type label-gripping head 35, and/or fordriving each of the label-applying heads 32 a and 32 f of thelabel-applying assembly 32 as explained above, or other equivalentmechanisms may be used. The drive mechanism 48 may be controlled to pullthe web variable distances, to allow for selecting the number of labelsto be utilized in a given label collecting and applying cycle.

The adhesive-free regions AFR are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 beingprovided cross-wise on the web, parallel to the feed direction F, wherethe label-gripping head 45 likewise grips the web cross-wise.Alternatively or in addition, adhesive-free regions could be providedlength-wise beside one or both outer edges 24 a and 24 b of the web,allowing for the label-gripping head 45 to grip the labels length-wise.

The label-applying assembly 32 provides for multiple label-applyingheads, which in turn provides that each label-applying head can servejust one lane, to achieve a higher throughput.

The label-cutting block 28 provides for severing the labels used forlabeling all the articles in one label collecting and applying cyclesynchronously, which also allows the label-cutting block to provide forsevering the labels used for labeling all the articles in one labelcollecting and applying cycle simultaneously, providing for maximumlabel-severing speed.

Likewise, the label-applying assembly 32 also provides for labeling allthe articles in one row synchronously, which also allows thelabel-applying assembly to provide for labeling all the articles in onerow simultaneously, providing for maximum labeling speed.

For purposes herein, two events occur “simultaneously” when they occurat the same time within a variance of +/−1 millisecond, and“substantially simultaneously” when they occur at the same time within avariance of +/−5 milliseconds. Also for purposes herein, two eventsoccur “synchronously” when they occur either simultaneously or atregularly spaced intervals within a variance of +/−1 millisecond, and“substantially synchronously” when they occur either substantiallysimultaneously or at regularly spaced intervals within a variance of+/−5 milliseconds.

In addition, the label-applying assembly 32 provides for laterallytranslating the label-applying heads, for changing the spacings betweenthe label-applying heads, and for shifting the label-applying assemblyfrom the label-cutting block 28 to the articles 10, and/or to operate itin the aforementioned mode 2.

The provision for changing the spacings between the label-applying headsallows for all the label-applying heads that are used for labelingarticles in the same row to be supplied by the same web and therefore asingle label supply as noted. The label-cutting block 28 furthersupports this feature.

The reason for changing the spacings between the label-applying heads isthat the lateral spacings between the cut labels are inherently lessthan the corresponding lateral spacings between the articles (the labelis smaller than the article). So the spacings between the label-applyingheads are decreased to allow the label-applying heads to become(typically) centered over the labels, to pick up or collect labels fromthe label-cutting block 28, and the spacings are thereafter be increasedto allow the label-applying heads to become (typically) centered overthe articles to be labeled, to apply the labels to the articles.

In light of this reason, it can be seen that an alternative to adaptingthe label-applying assembly to provide for changing the spacings betweenthe label-applying heads is to adapt the label-cutting block to providefor changing the spacings between the cut labels, in like manner.

However, adapting the label-applying assembly to allow for laterallytranslating the label-applying heads also provides for the operationnoted above as mode 2, particularly that shown in connection with FIG.13.

Mode 2 is advantageous over the alternative of providing label-applyingheads dedicated to particular lanes because mode 2 requires only half asmany active label-applying heads as there are lanes.

So it is advantageous to provide for laterally translating thelabel-applying heads in such a manner that will allow for maintainingthe spacings between them, and it is additionally desirable to do so ina way that also allows for changing the spacings between them.

While the scissors-type linkage assemblies used in the preferredembodiment of the invention for adjusting the spacings between thelabel-applying heads are particularly adapted for use in labelingsingulated articles, and more particularly articles that areequidistantly spaced apart from each other in rows, it is within theprinciples of the invention to provide each label-applying head with itsown drive mechanism for individually adjusting the spacings between theheads as needed, on the fly, for labeling non-singulated, or (more orless) randomly distributed articles.

For purposes herein, a “conveyor” has a linear conveying direction thatis the direction that articles on the conveyor are conveyed by theconveyor.

It is to be understood that, while a specific automated labeling methodand apparatus has been shown and described as preferred, variations canbe made, in addition to those already mentioned, without departing fromthe principles of the invention.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms andexpressions to exclude equivalents of the features shown and describedor portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the inventionis defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for labeling articles with anautomated labeling apparatus, the method comprising: providing a reel ofadhesive labels to the automated labeling apparatus and thereafter byuse of the automated labeling apparatus performing steps of drawing aweb of the adhesive labels from the reel; synchronously collecting aplurality of the adhesive labels from the web; and synchronouslyapplying the plurality of collected adhesive labels to a correspondingplurality of the articles.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofsynchronously collecting includes simultaneously collecting theplurality of adhesive labels, and wherein the step of synchronouslyapplying includes simultaneously applying the plurality of collectedadhesive labels.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step ofsimultaneously collecting includes simultaneously severing the pluralityof adhesive labels.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofsynchronously collecting includes synchronously severing the pluralityof adhesive labels.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the adhesivelabels are liner-less.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the adhesivelabels are liner-less.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the adhesivelabels are liner-less.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesivelabels are liner-less.